Top performers; valedictorians, salutatorians

Anticipation, excitement, joy, sadness: all of these emotions will play out this Friday night, May 23, at ceremonies across Fayette County as the Class of 2008 graduates. Over 2,000 students from area schools will don their caps and gowns, smile for cameras and stride across the stage to receive their diplomas.

McIntosh and Whitewater high schools will hold their graduation ceremonies at 6 p.m., while Fayette County, Sandy Creek and Starr’s Mill high schools will hold their graduation ceremonies at 8 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be held the following morning at 10 a.m.

Fayette County High School, 320 graduates

The valedictorian for Fayette County High School’s Class of 2008 is Amy Lynn Evans and the salutatorian is Joshua David Parker. Evans, daughter of Charlie and Lynnell Evans, has a 4.143 GPA and will be attending either the Georgia Institute of Technology or the University of Georgia with plans on majoring in chemistry/pre-pharmacy. While at Fayette County High School, Evans was a member of the varsity soccer team. She has also been vice president of the select chorus, president of Beta Club, a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society and the Fayette First United Methodist Church youth group and was a Prestige Portraits Model Ambassador. Evans says her favorite memory from high school was “Scoring the winning penalty kick to send the soccer team to the Elite Eight my sophomore year.” Evans was voted “Best All-Around” by her peers, is a Star Student and was on Homecoming Court for three years.

Parker is the son of Alan and Susan Parker. He has a 4.167 GPA and plans to attend the University of Georgia with a plan to major in biochemistry. During his time in school Parker participated in football, golf, the Spanish Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars and the Fayette County Wash-Up League and was the treasurer of National Honor Society, treasurer of Beta Club and co-president of Psychology Club. Saying that it was “impossible” to choose a favorite teacher, Parker says he has what he calls “The Fantastic Four.” “‘The Fantastic Four’ are my four favorite teachers, which are Mr. Jeffrey Belwood, Mr. Shane Kuykendall, Ms. Jan Daniel and Mr. Tim Miller. They are all great AP teachers.” Parker says he “will miss playing football on Friday nights under the lights at Tiger Stadium.” Captain of the Region Champion Fayette County Football team, Parker was selected Who’s Who by teachers and administrators and was voted “Most Intelligent” by his peers.

Landmark christian School, 194 graduates

The valedictorian for Landmark’s Class of 2008 is Michael Leonard, while the salutatorian is Jeremy “Levi” Throckmorton. Academically, Leonard has proven his consistency, maintaining his status with the highest GPA, 4.245, in the senior class. He is a member of the National Beta Club, secretary of the National Honor Society and vice president of the senior class. He maintains his grades while actively participating in many extracurricular school and community activities, including baseball and cross country. Leonard has received military appointments to the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) with a total scholarship value of $1,161,000. In addition to the academy scholarships Leonard has received scholarships at Samford University, Piedmont College Sewanee-University of the South and the ROTC scholarship. Leonard will be attending Duke University in the fall on a Navy ROTC scholarship valued at $169,440.

Throckmorton is a young man who is extremely well-rounded; academically, athletically, socially and spiritually. His integrity is impeccable, and, as the salutatorian of his class, his academic record speaks for itself. Throckmorton is not only a young man of exemplary character and academics, he is also an athlete and has a love for the performing arts. He is a member of the “Company,” Landmark Christian School’s premier drama group, and the chamber singers. Throckmorton has received in excess of 12 college acceptances and $480,784 in scholarships to date with additional scholarships pending. He is currently deciding to attend either Samford University or Washington and Lee University to pursue his collegiate studies.

McIntosh High School, 377 graduates

Sharing the position of valedictorian for McIntosh High School’s Class of 2008 is Courtney Simmonds and Michael Qin. The salutatorian is Craig Handy. Simmonds, daughter of Darrin and Lauren Simmonds, graduates with a 4.0 GPA. She will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology after graduation and plans to major in business with a focus in finance. Simmonds was a member of the Chiefettes varsity dance team, Ambassadors, was co-president of Latin Club, treasurer of Beta Club and was a member of Interact Club. She names Latin teacher Connie Bryant as her favorite teacher while at McIntosh. “With her enthusiasm and passion for Latin, Mrs. Bryant is able to make this difficult subject fun to learn,” Simmonds says. She lists her favorite memory from school as “placing 13th at Nationals with the Chiefettes...I will never forget the excitement and energy walking out onto the competition floor and waiting in the semicircle for our results.”

Qin, the son of Wenli and Alex Qin, will graduate with a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 4.3 AP weighted GPA. He plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and major in computer engineering. While at McIntosh, Qin was a member of the Academic Team, Math Club and Young Democrats. He also enjoys piano, chess and reading. Qin is a National Merit Scholar and has also earned a math scholarship. He says his favorite memory from high school is learning calculus.

Handy is the son of Doug and Debi Handy and will graduate with a 4.0 GPA. He will attend the University of Southern California and plans to major in business. Handy has been awarded the University of Southern California’s Trustee Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship with full tuition, and is a National Merit Scholar. While at McIntosh, he was a member of the cross country team, Key Club and participated in Peachtree City recreational soccer. His favorite teacher has been math teacher Diane Freeman. “She is always will to explain a concept until everyone understands,” he explains. “She takes personal, sincere interest in students’ lives, and she makes math almost kinda-sorta fun.”

Sandy Creek High School, 312 graduates

The valedictorian for Sandy Creek’s Class of 2008 is David Desprez, and the salutatorian is Tyler Murphy Wright. Desprez is the son of Richard and Nancy Desprez. He has a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology after graduation to major in biochemistry. While at Sandy Creek, Desprez has participated in Beta Club, Math Team, Mu Alpha Theta, Ping-Pong Club, Spanish Club, Spanish National Honor Society, Peer Tutoring, was on the yearbook staff and was a Patriot Ambassador. In the community, he was a member of the Tyrone U19 Select Soccer League in 2006, he has played piano for nine years and he participates in service projects and the Fayette Samaritans Society over the summer. “I’m going to miss the fun times in and out of class with friends,” Desprez says. “I’m going to miss the football games, pep rallies, soccer games and volleyball games.”

Wright is the son of Lee and Delores Wright. He will graduate with a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 4.233 AP weighted GPA. Upon graduation, Wright will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was a member of the varsity football and soccer teams and was captain of the varsity swimming team. He was president of the Math Team, Mu Alpha Theta math honor society and Junior Civitans and was a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Beta Club, Key Club. He was the co-founder of the Sandy Creek Ping-Pong Club and was a Patriot Ambassador. Of high school, Wright says he will most miss “the diverse atmosphere that Sandy Creek brings.” “Not only are there varieties of ethnicities and backgrounds, the solid education at ‘The Creek’ brings a fun atmosphere with exceptional fine arts, sports teams and community service opportunities,” he says.

Starr’s Mill High School, 395 graduates

The valedictorian for Starr’s Mill High School’s Class of 2008 is Kristen Elizabeth Crotty and the salutatorian is Kevin Harrell. Crotty, the daughter of Bill and Lisa Crotty, will graduate with a 4.114 GPA and will attend the University of Georgia with plans to major in public relations and Spanish. Crotty hopes to one day work in a hospital within the public relations department. She has received a Metro PCS Community Scholarship and Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship and is a 2007 Georgia Certificate of Merit winner, sponsored by UGA. She says her favorite memory from high school was “being a Junior Marshal, as I was so honored to be among the excited graduates last year and being the first in line to lead the seniors to their graduation ceremony. I was very humbled.” At Starr’s Mill she was president of the Spanish Honor Society, was a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America and Spanish Club. Crotty also was the creator and founder of the Spanish Club at Braelinn Elementary School, was a Braelinn Elementary mentor, was the varsity girl’s volleyball team manager, a Starr’s Mill High School tutor and a Starr Ambassador. Outside of school Crotty volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, is a nursing home volunteer and volunteers at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Harrell is the son of Rick and Kathy Harrell. He will graduate with a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend Emory University and major in music. He has received the Robert W. Woodruff Scholarship from Emory University. His extra curricular activities include the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, marching band, Men of the Mill a cappella group, Science Olympiad, Boy Scouts of America and math tutoring. Harrell is a member of his church youth group and is a fifth grade Sunday School leader. He also participates in an elementary school mentoring program. He says his favorite teacher was “Senora Mucklow...You can tell that she has a passion for what she does and has truly brought the world of Spanish alive for me.” Harrell says he will miss “the people in high school the most.” His favorite memory from school was “when we won our first marching band competition when I was a Drum Major.”

Whitewater High School, 380 graduates

The valedictorian for Whitewater High School’s Class of 2008 is Alyson Pigford and the salutatorian is Cassandra Marie Heimann. Pigford, daughter of Steve and Dana Pigford, will graduate with a 4.19 GPA. While at Whitewater, Pigford was a member of the JV basketball team, marching band, Beta Club, FCA, FCA Bible study, National Honor Society, Math Team, Ambassadors and Spanish National Honor Society. She says she will miss “the people in my high school because relationships are one of the most important aspects of my life.” Of her favorite high school memories, Pigford says they are “the times I laughed the hardest and cheered the loudest.” Pigford has been awarded a Georgia Power Scholarship, Samford Academic Scholarship, Mercer Engineering Scholarship, Baptist Heritage Grant, Georgia State Grant, HOPE and a Scholarship for Engineering Education.

Heimann is the daughter of Hans and Eva Heimann. She will graduate with a 4.09 GPA and will attend Hendrix College with plans to major in biology. Heimann has been awarded the Hendrix Merit Scholarship and the Odyssey Honors and Distinction Award. She is a member of Girl Scouts and enjoys swimming and coaching swimming. Her favorite teacher is Amy Hammock. “She makes learning fun, makes anatomy easy to understand and she is also there to answer questions or to talk even if it has nothing to do with anatomy,” Heimann says. Her favorite memory from high school was “this past swim season when the first girl’s relay qualified for state.”

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